Hinge apparatus for a foldable electronic device

ABSTRACT

An apparatus ( 10 ) for an electronic device, the apparatus comprising a first housing ( 12 ) having a first face ( 14 ) and a second housing ( 11 ) having a first face ( 13 ), the apparatus comprising a hinge ( 15 ) arranged towards the edge of the first faces to allow the first faces to be folded towards and away from one another between respective closed and open configurations of the apparatus, the apparatus comprising a biasing mechanism ( 17 ) arranged to bias the apparatus between the open and closed configurations, the biasing mechanism comprised with the first and/or second housings and not with the hinge.

The invention relates to an apparatus for an electronic device, inparticular for a foldable mobile electronic device such as ahand-portable radio telephone.

BACKGROUND

In the field of mobile telecommunications, various mechanisms are knownthat allow for foldable devices such as hand-portable radiotelephones.Such devices typically have a cylindrical hinge connecting two parts ina ‘clamshell’ arrangement. The hinge element typically divides a displayand user input features, for example by separating a screen from akeypad.

Since the hinge element in a typical device houses a mechanism thatprovides a degree of holding capability in the open and closedconfigurations, together with necessary electrical connections, thisresults in a lower limit to the possible diameter ranges for the hingeelement.

To improve the appearance of a hand-portable radiotelephone, it isdesirable to hide or reduce the appearance of the hinge element. This ispossible through miniaturisation of mechanical components within thehinge element. However, reducing the diameter below around 5-6 mm isparticularly challenging.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or alleviate someor all of the above problems.

The listing or discussion of a prior-published document in thisspecification should not necessarily be taken as an acknowledgement thatthe document is part of the state of the art or is common generalknowledge.

SUMMARY

According to the invention, there is provided an apparatus for anelectronic device, the apparatus comprising a first housing having afirst face and a second housing having a first face, the apparatuscomprising a hinge arranged towards the edge of the first faces to allowthe first faces to be folded towards and away from one another betweenrespective closed and open configurations of the apparatus, theapparatus comprising a biasing mechanism arranged to bias the apparatusbetween the open and closed configurations, the biasing mechanismcomprised with the first and/or second housings and not with the hinge.

In this way, apparatus of the invention may have a reduced diameter ofhinge below that typically possible with previous solutions, while stillretaining the required capability of maintaining a bias in the openand/or closed configurations.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a methodof opening/closing an apparatus for an electronic device between openand closed configurations,

-   -   the apparatus comprising a first housing having a first face and        a second housing having a first face, the apparatus comprising a        hinge arranged towards the edge of the first faces to allow the        first faces to be folded towards and away from one another        between respective closed and open configurations of the        apparatus, the apparatus comprising a biasing mechanism arranged        to bias the apparatus between the open and closed        configurations, the biasing mechanism comprised with the first        and/or second housings and not with the hinge,    -   the method comprising acting against the bias of the biasing        mechanism to open the apparatus from the closed configuration        towards the open configuration and acting against the bias to        close the apparatus from the open configuration to the closed        configuration.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided anapparatus for an electronic device, the apparatus comprising a firstmeans for housing having a first face and a second means for housinghaving a first face, the apparatus comprising a means for hingingarranged towards the edge of the first faces to allow the first faces tobe folded towards and away from one another between respective closedand open configurations of the apparatus, the apparatus comprising ameans for biasing arranged to bias the apparatus between the open andclosed configurations, the means for biasing comprised with the firstand/or second housings and not with the hinge.

The present invention includes one or more aspects, embodiments and/orfeatures of said aspects and/or embodiments in isolation and/or invarious combinations whether or not specifically stated (includingclaimed) in that combination or in isolation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A description is now given, by way of example only, with reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cut-away schematic side view of a foldable apparatus for anelectronic device in a closed configuration;

FIG. 2 is a cut-away schematic side view of a foldable apparatus for anelectronic device in a partially opened configuration;

FIG. 3 is a cut-away schematic side view of a foldable apparatus for anelectronic device in a fully opened configuration;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a foldable apparatus for an electronicdevice in a fully open configuration;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a foldable apparatus for an electronicdevice in a closed configuration;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a hinged region of a foldable apparatusfor an electronic device in a partially opened configuration; and

FIG. 7 is a partially exploded perspective view of a foldable apparatusfor an electronic device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Apparatus in the form of casing and associated mechanical parts of ahand-portable radiotelephone is shown in FIG. 1 in a partially cut-awayschematic side view. The apparatus 10 comprises a first housing 12 and asecond housing 11. A first face 14 of the first housing 12 and a firstface 13 of the second housing 11 are adjacent and facing one another inthe illustrated fully closed configuration. A hinge 15 is provided at anedge of the faces 13, 14 to allow them to be folded towards and awayfrom one another between open and closed configurations.

A linkage element 18 links the first and second housings 12, 11 by meansof a fixed pivot 19 on the first housing 12 and a sliding pivot 20 inthe second housing 11. The sliding pivot 20 is mounted on a slider 22arranged to slide towards and away from the hinge 15, movement of theslider 22 towards the hinge tending to increase a bias on a biasingmechanism comprising a helical compression spring 17 provided in thesecond housing 11. The spring 17 thereby urges the slider 22 away fromthe hinge 15. The sliding pivot 20 is mounted in a slot 21 to allow thepivot to slide towards and away from the hinge 15, the slot 21 beingoriented parallel to the face 13 of the second housing 11.

The fixed pivot 19 and sliding pivot 20 are linked by a linkage element18. This linkage element may be a thin rigid plate, which possessessufficient rigidity to translate the force urged by the spring 17 on theslider 22 into a closing force between the first and second housings 12,11, thus bringing the faces 13, 14 together. In the illustrated fullyclosed configuration the force exerted by the spring 17 acts away fromthe hinge, and is translated into a rotational moment 101 acting on thefirst housing 12 about the hinge 15 by action on the linkage element 18and the fixed pivot 19.

Shown in FIG. 2 is the apparatus of FIG. 1 when in a partially openconfiguration. As the first face 14 is rotated in the directionindicated by arrow 23 away from the second face 13 about the hinge 15,the pivots 19, 20 and the linkage element 18 act to compress the spring17 in the direction indicated by arrow 24. A force therefore needs to beexerted on the first and second housings 11, 12 about the hinge 15 tocounteract the rotational moment 201 in order to open the apparatus fromthe fully closed configuration towards the partially open configurationof FIG. 2.

As the first housing 12 continues to rotate in the direction 23, thefixed pivot 19 passes a point where the fixed pivot 19, the hinge 15 andthe sliding pivot are in line with each other. This corresponds to apoint of instability in the mechanism, where the rotational moment 201reduces to zero. Further rotation in the direction 23 then causes theslider 22 to reverse direction, and causes the rotational moment actingon the first housing 12 to reverse direction, therefore tending towardsfurther opening of the apparatus 10.

FIG. 3 shows the apparatus 10 in a fully opened configuration, where anangle formed between the first faces 13, 14 is greater than 90 degrees.The spring 17 has extended compared to its compressed state in FIG. 2,the slider 22 has moved away from the hinge 15, and a force from thespring 17 acting on the slider is transmitted by the linkage element 18into a rotational moment 301 acting on the first housing 12 to bias thefirst and second housings 12, 11 in the opened configuration.

In a general aspect therefore, the biasing mechanism of the apparatusallows for a bistable mode of operation, where the biasing mechanismholds the first and second housings 12, 11 in an open and a closedconfiguration.

The hinge 15 may have a diameter of the order of 5 mm or below.Alternatively, the hinge 15 may have a diameter of the order of 4 mm orbelow, 3 mm or below, 2 mm or below or 1 mm or below. Alternatively, thehinge may have a diameter of the order of or below half the thickness, athird the thickness or a quarter of the thickness of the first and/orsecond housing 12, 11. The hinge may have a diameter of between 4 mm and1 mm, or between 4 mm and 0.5 mm.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus in a fullyopened configuration corresponding to that shown in FIG. 3. Theapparatus, in the form of a hand-portable radiotelephone comprises ascreen 42 on the first face 14 of the first housing 12, and a keypad 41on a first face 13 of the second housing 11. Only a portion of the hinge15 is visible between the two faces 13, 14. The linkage element 18 isnot visible in the opened configuration, as it is configured to behidden in a recess largely within the side of the second housing 11.

Shown in FIG. 5 is the apparatus 10 of FIG. 4 when in a closedconfiguration. The hinge 15 is partially visible along the edge of thefaces of the first and second housings 12, 11. The linkage element isalso not visible in this configuration, since it is hidden in recessespartly within the sides of the first and the second housings 12, 11. Therecesses are provided by an extended split line between an inner frameand exterior cover of the housings 11, 12.

The linkage elements 18 a, 18 b may alternatively be provided on theouter sides of the apparatus, thus revealing rather than hiding themechanism.

Shown in FIG. 6 is the apparatus 10 in a partially opened configurationcorresponding to that shown in FIG. 2. In the embodiment shown, linkageelements 18 a, 18 b are provided at opposing sides of the apparatus 10,to allow for increased stability in operation. It is to be understood,however, that one linkage element may be alternatively suitable for thepurpose of the invention.

Only in the partially opened configuration are the linkage elementsvisible. This feature has the benefit of allowing a clean anduncluttered appearance to the apparatus when in the commonly used openor closed configurations.

Electrical connections between the first and second housings 11, 12 maybe made by means of flexible circuit connections commonly used in suchapplications.

FIG. 7 shows a partially exploded perspective view of an exemplaryembodiment of the apparatus 10, with the biasing mechanism componentparts illustrated. The hinge in the form of a tube and locking pinarrangement comprises a pair of hollow members 71 on an edge of thefirst face 14 of the first member 12 and a further hollow member 72 onan edge of the first face 13 of the second member 11. When assembled, ahinge pin 73 fits inside the hollow members 71, 72 and connects theedges of the first faces 13, 14.

By connecting the two housings 11, 12 with the tube and locking pinarrangement, the hinge can be reduced to a diameter below 2 mm and stillhave a robustness suitable for a hand-portable radiotelephone. Forrobustness, the tubes and/or the pins may be made from a metal such assteel, although other materials may be suitable. In an alternativeembodiment, the hinge may be an integrally-formed part of a unitaryhousing arrangement, the hinge being a ‘living hinge’. In this form, theunitary housing may be plastically formed such that the hinge comprisesa thinned section able to flex sufficiently to allow a similar operationas the tube and pin arrangement. This embodiment may then allow for acontinuous or seamless surface when the apparatus is in the openedconfiguration.

The faces 13, 14 of the apparatus may be formed as metal framesconnected by an integrated hinge. The linkage elements 18 a, 18 b,spring 17 and slider 22 may also be fully integrated in the frame.

Further pins 19, 20 provide the fixed and sliding pivots shownpreviously. The sliding pivot pin 20 connects with the sliding member 22and the second housing via the linkage elements 18 a, 18 b. The fixedpivot pin 19 connects with the first housing 11 via the linkage elements18 a, 18 b.

The spring 17 illustrated may alternatively be any other suitable meansfor biasing the slider 22, such as a thin part of sheet metalsufficiently resilient to be flexed and provide the biasing force forthe open and closed position.

One or more embodiments of the present invention are not limited to usesin which the hinge is small, and can be applied to comparatively largehinges (which may have a diameter above 6 mm).

The applicant hereby discloses in isolation each individual featuredescribed herein and any combination of two or more such features, tothe extent that such features or combinations are capable of beingcarried out based on the present specification as a whole in the lightof the common general knowledge of a person skilled in the art,irrespective of whether such features or combinations of features solveany problems disclosed herein, and without limitation to the scope ofthe claims. The applicant indicates that aspects of the presentinvention may consist of any such individual feature or combination offeatures. In view of the foregoing description it will be evident to aperson skilled in the art that various modifications may be made withinthe scope of the invention.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out fundamentalnovel features of the invention as applied to preferred embodimentsthereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutionsand changes in the form and details of the devices and methods describedmay be made by those skilled in the art without departing from thespirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that allcombinations of those elements and/or method steps which performsubstantially the same function in substantially the same way to achievethe same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, itshould be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method stepsshown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form orembodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosedor described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter ofdesign choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only asindicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto. Furthermore, inthe claims means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover thestructures described herein as performing the recited function and notonly structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. Thusalthough a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that anail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together,whereas a screw employs a helical surface, in the environment offastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw may be equivalent structures.

1. An apparatus comprising a housing having a first face and a secondhousing having a first face, the apparatus comprising a hinge arrangedtowards the edge of the first faces to allow the first faces to befolded towards and away from one another between respective closed andopen configurations of the apparatus, the apparatus comprising a biasingmechanism arranged to bias the apparatus between the open and closedconfigurations, the biasing mechanism comprising at least one of thefirst and second housings and not the hinge.
 2. An apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein the biasing mechanism is arranged to bias theapparatus into the closed configuration.
 3. An apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the biasing mechanism is arranged to bias the apparatusinto the open configuration.
 4. An apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the biasing mechanism is arranged to bias the apparatus into theopen and closed configurations.
 5. An apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the biasing mechanism comprises a fixed pivot on the firsthousing and a slideable pivot on the second housing, the biasingmechanism arranged such that the slideable pivot is biased to slide in aplane parallel to the face of the second housing.
 6. An apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the biasing mechanism comprises a fixedpivot on the first housing and a slideable pivot on the second housing,the biasing mechanism arranged such that the slideable pivot is biasedto slide in a plane parallel to the first face of the second housing andwherein the pivots are linked by a linkage element.
 7. An apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the biasing mechanism comprises a fixedpivot on the first housing and a slideable pivot on the second housing,the biasing mechanism arranged such that the slideable pivot is biasedto slide in a plane parallel to the face of the second housing andwherein the pivots are linked by a linkage element, comprising a linkageelement located on either side of the slideable pivot.
 8. An apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the hinge comprises a tube and locking pinarrangement.
 9. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the hinge isprovided by a common element integral with both the first and secondhousings.
 10. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the hinge isprovided as part of a co-molded first and second housing.
 11. Anapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the hinge is arranged at theedge of the first faces.
 12. An apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe hinge is arranged to extend along the edge of the first faces. 13.An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the hinge has a diameter ofthe order of 6 mm or below 6 mm.
 14. An apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the hinge has a diameter of the order of 5 mm or below 5 mm. 15.An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the hinge has a diameter ofthe order of 4 mm or below 4 mm.
 16. An apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the hinge has a diameter of the order of 3 mm or below 3 mm. 17.An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the hinge has a diameter ofthe order of 2 mm or below 2 mm.
 18. An apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the hinge has a diameter of the order of 1 mm or below 1 mm. 19.An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the hinge has a diameter ofthe order of or below half the thickness of at least one of the firstand second housing. 20-29. (canceled)
 30. A method of opening/closing anapparatus between open and closed configurations, the apparatuscomprising a first housing having a face and a second housing having aface, the apparatus comprising a hinge arranged towards the edge of thefaces to allow the faces to be folded towards and away from one anotherbetween respective closed and open configurations of the apparatus, theapparatus comprising a biasing mechanism arranged to bias the apparatusbetween the open and closed configurations, the biasing mechanismcomprised with at least one of the first or second housings and not withthe hinge, the method comprising acting against the bias of the biasingmechanism to open the apparatus from the closed configuration towardsthe open configuration and acting against the bias to close theapparatus from the open configuration to the closed configuration.